Evil Dragon: The young dragon I picked up keeps planning on becoming an empress

???

I originally thought that the heretic was the lunatic who stole the Valkyrie statue, but who would have expected that the "heretic" was none other than Archbishop Franco himself, who even declared he didn't want the lost Valkyrie statue back—it was hard for me, as a Holy Knight, not to brand this archbishop as a "heretic."

"Archbishop Franco, to utter such words in front of the Valkyrie painting... you are already suspect of blasphemy against the deity," I said.

The fat Bishop Franco gave Holy Knight Steven a look that screamed 'what do you know.'

Was it he who blasphemed?

No, it was the Valkyrie herself who despised the lost statue.

As the archbishop of the Valkyrie Temple, what could he do? He could only try by all means to fulfill the Valkyrie's wishes, scheming to keep the painting of the Valkyrie and prevent that mad... cough... that sincerely devout follower of the Valkyrie, from taking the painting away.

If she really wanted to take it... she might as well take the other statue away.

What a headache.

How could he convince the devout believer to leave the Valkyrie painting here?

The painting of the Valkyrie had acquired a divine aura, and as long as the divinity remained, the painting would gradually become a Sacred Relic.

In the future, it could possibly be taken to be worshipped at the Sacred Mountain.

And he, the archbishop, might even get the chance to go to the Sacred Mountain and become a Cardinal there.

"That's too much, Archbishop Franco. To spout such madness in front of me, a [Holy Knight]... and...."

"Ah, Lance my boy... you've arrived. I was wrong to accuse you. I didn't realize that you were the Valkyrie's most devout follower. We were disrespectful the other day... let's go, let's go... to the back hall... from now on, you are our Temple Valkyrie's most honored guest...

Follow me, follow me... I've specially prepared some delicious fruits to entertain you with, oh oh oh, and also, I've got some tasty nuts and dried meat snacks to treat His Dragon Highness...."

Fat Bishop Franco interrupted Holy Knight Steven, pushing past him with eager affection toward the temple entrance.

Holy Knight Steven instinctively turned to look towards the temple door.

It was a young man of extraordinary bearing.

He wore a pale blue robe and cloth shoes, his black hair casually twisted up with a wooden stick stabbed through it.

Graceful, casual, and elegant... there was also an indescribable quality about him...

Following the young man was a somewhat timid little Amethyst Dragon.

Its bald little head and big eyes were somewhat adorable.

"Sorry, age is catching up with me. I only remembered to return the statue today," he said.

???

The person who stole the Valkyrie Statue from the temple... was him?

His demeanor... his looks... his every move... they didn't at all resemble someone who would defile the deity.

"Return the statue? What statue, Lance my boy... You must be mistaken, we never lost a Valkyrie statue in our temple. If you, Lance, happened to come across a Valkyrie statue... then keep it. The Valkyrie will bless you."

Return the statue?

It's already been taken to be worshipped, what's there to return?

The Valkyrie statue and you, Lance my boy, are fated.

Keeping it in your home for worship is certainly the right choice.

Fat Bishop Franco no longer wished for Lance before him to take the Valkyrie painting away.

"Archbishop, just yesterday Joanna specifically reminded Lance not to forget to return the Valkyrie statue, how come today you..."

The Young Dragon was a bit flabbergasted. Was she mistaken or did the fat bishop seem reluctant to let the Evil Dragon return the statue?

The way he addressed him had changed, from the previous constant calling of 'lunatic'...

Now it became... Lance my boy...

Speaking of Lance...

The Young Dragon felt that Evil Dragon Lance had more clothes than noble girls in the imperial capital had in their wardrobes...

The first time he dressed in a flashy purple suit.

The second time he wore a white shirt with black suspenders.

A blue pair of shorts on God's day off...

And today, he went out wearing a pale blue "Taoist robe," his short hair now long.

The Evil Dragon, dressed in a "Taoist robe," looked even more refreshing.

The Evil Dragon also said that when she could become human, she could be a "little Taoist nun."

What a curious title.

Taoist robe.

Little Taoist nun.

Little Taoist nun Princess?

It felt weird... but somehow... it sounded quite fun...

Lance was completely flustered by Fat Bishop Franco.

They say it's easy to borrow again if you return what you borrowed...

Was this a case of difficult return after an easy borrow?

The problem is he's a Black Dragon, what's he doing with a Valkyrie Statue at home for no reason?

If he were to display a statue, it would be of the God of Wealth, not a Valkyrie...

A Valkyrie Statue?

Not even being his backup, it's just as well if the Valkyrie Statue is gone.

"Bishop, it was rude enough to borrow—er, to take the statue without your permission, if it's not returned, I'm afraid the Valkyrie might inflict divine punishment."

"No, no, the Valkyrie is quite fond of the divine paintings that Lance has done. Between us, Lance, I plan to worship the Valkyrie painting you presented to us as a statue. As for the statue you took, you might as well keep it.

We at the Valkyrie Temple of Lionheart City are pleased to call you, Lance, a friend. I also want to invite you to become the Divine Painter of our Valkyrie Temple in Lionheart City."

Franco thought it better to be honest—the Lance before him didn't come across as one of those obdurate, high-and-mighty old fools.

Having an ever-changing aura, one could tell at a glance he was no ordinary person.

Totally carefree and easygoing.

Says he'll take the Valkyrie Statue and does it.

After taking the Valkyrie Statue, not a peep.

What does that tell you?

It means the Valkyrie doesn't plan to pursue Lance for his sacrilegious act.

If the Valkyrie isn't considering pursuing it, I, a mere bishop, have even less need to berate Lance over a bit of so-called 'face'."

I ought to show Lance that everyone in the Temple is kind and amiable...

To emphasize this point, he put on an exceedingly benevolent face.

In Lionheart City... whenever Bishop Franco of the Valkyrie Temple is mentioned... people would give a thumbs up and praise him... as a good bishop who is warm and doesn't discriminate between rich and poor.

Lance got it.

So it's the painting of the Valkyrie that he did which caught their interest; they didn't want him to return the statue just so they could keep the painting.

"The statue should be returned, but as for the painting of the Valkyrie... consider it a gift from me to Sophia, I won't take it back."

Lance took out the shrunken Valkyrie Statue from the Vajra Ring, walked up to the painting of the Valkyrie, and placed the statue below the painting.

Sophia is the Valkyrie, and the Valkyrie is Sophia... but also not Sophia.

"Sophia, no need to repay the money, but you'll have to bless my Dragon Whelp to grow up as valiant as you... No, wrong, to grow up as valiant as the Valkyrie when he's of age."

To be as valiant as Sophia would do, though her death was so tragically heroic... she was certainly brave enough...

It's just the ending that wasn't too great.

"Young man... speaking to the Valkyrie Statue about repaying money... isn't that a bit much?"

Holy Knight Steven approached Lance, and as a Holy Knight of the Valkyrie Temple, his duty was to guard the Temple, to guard the Valkyrie.

"And you are?"

"Holy Knight of the Valkyrie Temple: Steven. Young man, please accompany me to the Valkyrie Temple in the King's City."

"???"

Fat Bishop Franco, hearing Steven's words, hurried over to him, "Steven, Lance here is the Divine Painter of our Valkyrie Temple in Lionheart City. If you plan to take him to the King's City for a trial, haven't you thought to ask if I agree?"

"Trial?" Steven looked puzzled, "Why would I put the young man on trial? I want to invite him to the King's City Temple to paint a portrait of the Valkyrie.

If you don't want me to invite the young man... then let me take this painting of the Valkyrie with me. The Valkyrie Statue... the young man has returned it, Bishop Franco, you can continue to worship it, the Valkyrie won't hold it against you."

"......."

I asked you here to admire the treasure, not to steal it from me.

What a scoundrel, even wants to take the temple's painting of the Valkyrie! Dream on.

"You've seen the treasure, so if there's nothing else... you can go back to the King's City. I'll reimburse your travel expenses—please go back quickly..."

"???"

He's being shooed away without so much as a sip of water?

Could they at least show a little respect for his position as a Holy Knight?

Wanting to invite a painting of the Valkyrie with such divine presence to the King's City, is that wrong?

This painting of the Valkyrie had the potential to become a "Sacred Relic."

Any bishop or knight from any temple would be envious to see it.

Not letting him invite this young man named Lance to the King's City Temple as a guest.

Then let him take the painting of the Valkyrie with him.

"Bishop Franco, Sacred Relics... it's probably better if they're kept in a temple with greater strength. After all… your place did have a statue taken away once."

"Get lost."

Don't think that I won't dare to scold you just because you're a Holy Knight...

Try to steal a sacred artifact from my temple, see if I don't fight you for it!

"Getting upset now... you really need to cultivate your heart, Bishop Franco..."

Teasing Franco with a smile, Steven looked towards Lance. He hadn't noticed before, but now upon a closer look, this Lance... seemed vaguely familiar.

"Young man Lance... I feel like I've seen you in the King's City before, it's just that I can't quite remember where in the King's City I've seen you..."